Traditional story tellers, ARI clash over 'Ram Kathas' in Ayodhya

Ayodhya: A war of words has broken out between the "katha vachaks" of Ayodhya and Ayodhya Research Institute (ARI), an autonomous body of culture department which organises religious events, over holding of "Ram Kathas" in the holy city.

While the "vyas" (katha vachakas) have alleged that the "kathas", which were being organised since long have been put to an abrupt end, ARI director Y P Singh rubbished the allegation and claimed that they were misguiding the people.

"The 'kathas' have been stopped. Earlier, it was stopped claiming shortage of funds and now this time lack of processing and recommendation is cited to be the reason behind it," katha vachak Pawan Shashtri alleged.

He said that a selection committee was formed in which it was decided that intellectuals from Ayodhya and that of Sanskrit will prepare a list of "katha vachaks" and accordingly they will be invited.

Shashtri said that from the last eight years it had been the demand of Ayodhya people that 'Ramleela' and 'katha' should be organised every day as 10,000 to 50,000 pilgrims visit the place every day and these programmes will give them a spiritual connect.

He alleged that as far as Ramleela was concerned earlier groups from others states were also called, but now only artists from Ayodhya have formed groups in different names and perform.